When something looks scary, the first thing to do is take a deep breath. Most problems are easier to handle once we slow down and look at them clearly.
Swollen lumps around the ear and neck can be alarming, especially when there are several of them close together and the skin around them is red.
Many of these are cysts. They form when a pore or follicle near the earlobe or under the jaw becomes blocked and slowly fills with keratin.
The area behind the ear also tends to collect blackheads, because it has many oil glands and is often missed during everyday washing.
When the cysts become inflamed, they can grow quickly, feel tender and make it uncomfortable to turn the head or lie on that side.
